NAPERVILLE – To support more young people entering the field of education, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is announcing that two local high schools are set to receive an Education Career Pathways Grants from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Educators play some of the most import roles in our society. They prepare our children for the future,” Ellman said. “That’s why these grants are so important. They will help future educators develop the skills they need to be as effective as possible.”

DuPage Area Occupational Education System has been awarded nearly $250,000 that will be split between seven schools, including Wheaton North High School and Wheaton Warrenville South High School to help with developing Career and Technical Education programs to prepare students for careers in education.

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills while strengthening their core academic abilities to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs also have the opportunity to earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will place a special focus on recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

“Students are successful when their teachers are successful,” Ellman said. “It’s time that we start investing in them.”

Nearly $2 million in total funding has been awarded to 11 Education for Employment Systems statewide to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers across the state. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

CHICAGO – To bring more students into the education field, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) announced that Farragut Career Academy High School will receive state funding to develop teaching programs.

“Students deserve teachers and role models that have shared lived experiences,” Villanueva said. “Bolstering Farragut Academy’s teaching program will prepare young people in Little Village for a career that will make a lasting impact on their community.”

The Illinois State Board of Education awarded the City of Chicago Public Schools Education for Employment system a $237,000 grant that will be distributed between four high schools to develop Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs focused on careers in education, including Farragut Career Academy High School.

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs may also earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will emphasize recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

Nearly $2 million in total funding has been awarded to 11 Education for Employment Systems statewide to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers across the state. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

VILLA PARK – To encourage more qualified people to enter the education field, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) is excited to announce seven DuPage County schools will receive Education Career Pathways Grants from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Our teachers train the future leaders of our great state,” Cullerton said. “This grant will help DuPage County schools recruit qualified and passionate teachers to guide and educate our children.”

The DuPage Area Occupational Education System #090 has been awarded $248,997, which will be distributed to seven high schools in DuPage County to assist these schools in developing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to prepare students for careers in education. Among this group Addison Trail High School, Willowbrook High School and Lake Park High School are set to receive this assistance.  

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills while strengthening their core academic abilities to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs also have the opportunity to earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will place a special focus on recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

“Schools with educators from diverse backgrounds support students’ cultural identities and enrich the learning atmosphere for all children,” Cullerton said. “We must continue to implement programs that encourage diversity and inclusion at every stage of our students' lives.”

Nearly $2 million in total funding has been awarded to 11 Education for Employment Systems statewide to recruit and support future educators at 62 high schools and vocational centers. For a full list of grant recipients or to learn more about career and college readiness programs in Illinois, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

DEERFIELD — As the state continues to experience a teacher shortage, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) applauds the Illinois State Board of Education for allocating funds to nine area high schools to help encourage students to become future educators.

“Teachers serve as not only educators to students, but also as mentors,” Morrison said. “The grants will make investments in our bright, young talents, who will shape the future for years to come.”

The Northwest Education Council for Student Success was awarded $249,000 through the Education Career Pathways Grants. The money will be distributed to nine schools within the northwest suburbs to prepare students for careers in education by developing Career and Technical Education programs. 

CTE programs help students develop technical and employability skills while strengthening their core academic abilities to enable them to pursue higher education opportunities and succeed in the workforce. Students in CTE programs also have the opportunity to earn dual credit or credentials and certifications from partner institutions prior to high school graduation.

The programs will place a special focus on recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

“More diverse classroom settings will teach some students the importance of diversity, while allowing other students to relate to their teachers on a deeper level,” Morrison said. “Investing in the students of today is an investment in the students of tomorrow.” 

The following schools were awarded a grant: 

• Barrington District 220
• Wheeling High School
• Elk Grove High School
• Rolling Meadows High School
• Buffalo Grove High School
• Conant High School
• Schaumberg High School
• Palatine High School
• Hoffman Estates High School

CHICAGO – Simeon Career Academy will receive a state grant to develop teacher training programs that cater to educators of color, State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago) announced.

“Preparing our students for a future as educators is a direct investment back into our community,” Collins said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Simeon to lay the groundwork for classroom leaders who reflect their neighborhoods.”

The Illinois State Board of Education awarded the City of Chicago Public Schools Education for Employment system a $237,000 grant, of which Simeon will receive a portion, to develop Career and Technical Education programs focused on careers in education. The programs are intended to emphasize recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

ELGIN –Gov. Pritzker announced new grants Thursday for state high schools to help recruit new educators. State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is pleased to announce that Hoffman Estates High School will be receiving some of those funds.

“I’m thrilled to see that Hoffman Estates High School will receiving a grant to help recruit and support a diverse faculty of teachers to help educate our students,” Castro said. “One of the most important things we can do as a society is provide a quality education for our youth. This grant will help Hoffman Estates High Schools and other school districts in the area and in the state recruit the best and brightest educators to help build a better future.”

Programs supported by this grant through the Illinois State Board of Education will emphasize recruiting underrepresented students into education careers to help meet the high demand for teachers of color across Illinois.

Hoffman Estates High School will receive a portion of a nearly $250,000 grant made to North Suburban high schools under the program, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education. For a full list of grant recipients or for more information, visit www.ISBE.net/CTE.

SPRINGFIELD - The City of Springfield is one step closer to achieving a centralized public transportation hub following the announcement of a $41 million state contribution earmarked for the Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center, advanced in the General Assembly by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

The landmark investment is part of the state’s latest Multi-Year Plan under Rebuild Illinois.

“This is a transformational investment in Springfield’s future, especially for East Side residents. The plan will make everyday commutes shorter, safer and more efficient for Springfield drivers and residents using all modes of public transportation,” Manar said. “In addition to modernizing our transit system, the project will boost economic development in a neighborhood that has lacked investment in recent years. I was proud to champion this effort in the General Assembly, and I look forward to continuing to support the Springfield rail consolidation project as a whole.”

The Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center will combine Springfield Mass Transit District buses, the Amtrak station, intercity buses, paratransit vehicles and taxis at one location along the Tenth Street corridor with an adjacent parking garage.

The project is a component of the Springfield Rail Improvement Project – a cooperative venture of IDOT, Sangamon County and the City of Springfield – to finalize long-awaited plans aimed at reducing train-related traffic stoppages that will improve public safety while upgrading the high-speed commercial rail service between Chicago and St. Louis that passes through Springfield.

The project will ultimately relocate all passenger and freight traffic from Third Street to the Tenth Street rail line, consolidating them into one common corridor. It will also construct new underpasses and one overpass at critical rail crossings on the Tenth Street and 19th Street corridors in order to reduce street-level rail crossings.

Set to begin in the current fiscal year, construction for the Transportation Center is to be completed in 2025 based on projections according to consulting firm Hanson Professional Services, Inc.

“Transportation systems can be a driving factor in any city’s growth or decline,” Manar said. “I appreciate the state, local, and federal leaders who share my vision for Springfield and are committed to seeing it through.”

CHICAGO – After years of being challenged by West Side youth, the Chicago Park District Board voted Wednesday to rename Douglas Park after famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) is celebrating the victory in her district.

“I’m glad the city is finally taking this step, after years of pleas to rid the park of Stephen Douglas’ name,” Van Pelt said. “Though there’s still massive issues in front of us, these victories are also significant, and I hope other cities will reconsider the monuments and park names across the state.”

Students from the Village Leadership Academy in North Lawndale first asked the board to rename the park back in 2017, and have not let up since, creating petitions and receiving support letters from local officials.

Most recently, students held a teach-in at the park to further invigorate their campaign and educate their community on Stephen Douglas and Frederick and Anna Murray Douglass.

“The voices of our youth are so important,” Van Pelt said. “It brings a smile to my face knowing the difference they’ve made this week. I implore them to keep educating, and keep raising their voices against injustice.”

The board voted unanimously to rename the park, giving residents 45 days to weigh in on the decision. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has confirmed that this decision is a part of a larger plan “to address our racial history and past, to take account and inventory of what exists in the city and sister agencies to memorialize our past but also account for what’s missing.”